A powerful low pressure system tracked across the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes region during the evening hours of December 10th into the morning hours of December 12th. An indirect fatality occurred near the town of Goodrich (Taylor County), when a man died from injuries sustained from plowing snow at his home. This storm brought heavy snow and blizzard conditions across portions of western and central Wisconsin. Volunteer cooperative observers measured snowfall amounts of 20.8 inches near Warrens (Monroe County), 20.5 inches at Medford (Taylor County), 20.2 inches near Holmen (La Crosse County), 19.9 inches at Friendship (Adams County) and 19.2 inches at Black River Falls (Jackson County). In addition to the heavy snow, sustained wind speeds of 25 to 30 miles per hour with gusts up to 50 miles per hour caused whiteout conditions, widespread road closures, stranded motorists and power outages.

Event Narrative

Heavy snow and strong winds impacted most of the county. In Black River Falls, 19.2 inches of snow was measured.